For 30 years, the news company Hryvna has been read in Kherson and the Kherson region. Over this time, the editorial team has produced and distributed nearly 1,500 issues. Who could have imagined that more than 50 of them would be published under wartime conditions?

February 23, 2022, turned out to be the last day the editorial office operated in its usual mode, one that had been established over many years. The next day, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, leading to the swift occupation of Kherson, which lasted for nine long months. The occupiers seized the editorial office, its premises, and the printing equipment.

We take pride in the fact that not a single Hryvna journalist collaborated with the enemy. Due to the dangers of remaining in occupied territory, most of the staff decided to leave for Ukrainian-controlled areas or seek refuge abroad.

Taking information online

In June 2022, we relaunched Hryvna’s online version on a volunteer basis. Through our Web site, we informed the world about the situation in Kherson and the region, shedding light on the suffering of those trapped under occupation. It was crucial to ensure that the voices of Kherson’s people were heard.

On November 11, 2022, Kherson and 30% of the region’s right bank were liberated. Just weeks later, on November 27, 2022, residents of Kherson once again held a copy of Hryvna in their hands. This was made possible thanks to the support of the Independent Regional Publishers Association of Ukraine and the dedication of our team.

As they retreated from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the occupiers destroyed the city’s infrastructure. There was no electricity, water, heating, or communication. The editorial office was completely looted. But we held on to hope and the firm belief that we had to continue informing Kherson’s residents, just as we had for years before.

Persisting despite challenges

Today, Hryvna is printed in Zaporizhzhia, while our journalists work from different cities across Ukraine and Europe. Some remain in Kherson despite constant shelling. For several of them, there is nowhere to return — homes and apartments have been destroyed. Some of our colleagues have joined the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The building that once housed our printing press and editorial office has been nearly destroyed. The equipment is gone. Russian forces continue to shell the site from the left bank of the Dnipro, which has remained under occupation for three years. The distance is just three kilometers, making it an easy target for enemy fire.

There is currently no way to repair the damaged roof and facade after the latest attacks — utility workers refuse to risk their lives under constant shelling and drone strikes that target civilians and vehicles, dropping explosives on the city.

Despite these challenges, the Hryvna team, together with local military administration staff and dedicated residents, does everything possible to ensure the newspaper reaches its readers. This work is a form of informational resistance — a way to counteract enemy propaganda and disinformation.

Approximately twice a month, residents of Kherson receive Hryvna free of charge. For many, it is like a breath of fresh air, a fleeting return to peaceful life — before the shelling, the grief, and the war, when loved ones were still near.

Today, the news company’s primary audience consists of elderly readers who lack access to online news due to frequent disruptions in electricity and communications caused by constant attacks. They cherish the opportunity to hold a familiar newspaper in their hands, to receive truthful and objective information, and sometimes even practical assistance in resolving urgent issues.

In 2024, we relaunched our hotline, where people can share their stories, seek advice, and find support from the Hryvna team.

None of this would have been possible without the support of our partners and donors. Preserving our team, sustaining the Hryvna brand, and keeping Kherson’s residents informed remain our top priorities. The editorial team is determined to resume full operations in Kherson as soon as the security situation allows.

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